Meat · Breed · Short entry
Retinta
The red cattle of the dry south-west of Spain, named for their deep red-mahogany coat. The breed unites the old Colorada Extremeña, Retinta Andaluza and Rubia Gaditana populations. It is raised extensively in the dehesas of Extremadura and Andalucía, where it copes with long droughts.
Red cattle of the dehesa
The ministry's catalogue places the Retinta in the Red Convex (Rojo Convexo) trunk of Iberian cattle. It calls it the main native breed of Spain's dry interior, historically spread over the southern half of the peninsula. The coat is red, from dark (retinto) to light (colorado or rubio). The mucous membranes are pink and the eyes are ringed with paler hair, called "ojo de perdiz" (partridge eye). Both sexes are horned. Males stand about 144 cm and weigh about 850 kg; females stand about 139 cm and weigh about 650 kg.
The breed is raised extensively in the dehesa, often in national and natural parks. The ministry credits it with helping to keep the dehesa ecosystem in use. Retinta oxen still pull carts in religious processions and at fairs. The meat is sold under the mark "Carne de Retinto".
How it connects
Place
- related Dehesa, Extremadura In preparation
Breed
- similar Alentejana
- related Avileña-Negra Ibérica
